HENSHIN! An Afternoon with Toei Heroes!

In the back row (from left to right): Hitomi Yoshii, Kihachiro Uemura, Ryosuke Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Takano, Toshimichi Takahashi, Mai Oishi, Sumiko Tanaka, Kenju Hayashi, and Koji Unoki. In the front row (from left to right): Sayoko Hagiwara, Yumiko Tanaka, yours truly, Juri Miyazawa, and Lisa Komaki. Whew!

Today I attended another special event featuring many cast members from Toei superhero series. The number of guests was by far the largest I've attended so far. Anyway, here's the breakdown.

Here I am with Mai Oishi who played Change Phoenix in Dengeki Sentai Changeman (1985-86). She also portrayed one of the young guardians of the Iga Crystal on episodes 19, 20, 31, 49, 50, and 51 of Space Sheriff Sharivan (1983-84), as well as the villainous Girl 2 (a member of the deadly Girls Army) on Space Sheriff Shaider (1984-85) from episodes 10 through 35.

On the right is suit actor/actor Toshimichi Takahashi, whose credits include: Wolf Guy (1975), Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon (1977), Mechanical Violator Hakaider (1995), the Toho superhero series Megaloman (1979), and numerous Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, and Metal Hero series, starting with Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-77). He plays the evil High Priest Baraom from Kamen Rider Black (1987-88). On the left is Hitomi Yoshii, who acts as High Priestess Bishium on Kamen Rider Black.

Yumiko Tanaka (far left) stars in Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81) as Harumi Kusanami and also appears in a small role in Toho's Godzilla (1984). Juri Miyazawa plays Ginga Pink on Seiju Sentai Gingaman (1998-99). Sayoko Hagiwara portrays Ryoko Hoshi, Yullian's alter ego, on Ultraman 80 (1980-81), starting with episode 43, as well as Dyna Pink in Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (1983-84). She also appears on Choushinsei Flashman (1986-87) as Leh Nafel.

Finally, I'm in between two of the regulars from Choudenshi Bioman (1984-85). Ryosuke Sakamoto is Red One on the series, and Sumiko Tanaka essays the role of Yellow Four II from episode 11 until 51.

And that's it! See y'all again next time!

SUPER SENTAI HEROES GATHER AGAIN! A Great Reunion of Toei Talent!

From left to right: Ryosuke Sakamoto, Lisa Komaki, Koji Unoki, Kenju Hayashi, yours truly, Yumiko Tanaka, Sayoko Hagiwara, Sumiko Tanaka, and Hitomi Yoshii. 

Today, I attended another dramatic reading performed by veterans of the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series from Toei Studios. While most names are familiar, some will be new to this blog, so let's get cracking and review who was there!

With Lisa Komaki (left) and Sayoko Hagiwara (right). 

Lisa Komaki played Peggy Matsuyama on Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-77). Following that experience, she went on to be the suit actor for and voice of actress Diane Martin as Miss America on Battle Fever J (1979-80).

Sayoko Hagiwara played Ryoko Hoshi, Yullian's human alter ego, on Ultraman 80 (1980-81), beginning with episode 43 of the series, and Dyna Pink in Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (1983-84). She also later appears on Choushinsei Flashman (1986-87) as the villainous Leh Nafel.

With Ryosuke Sakamoto and Sumiko Tanaka. 

Here are a couple of stars from Choudenshi Bioman (1984-85). Ryosuke Sakamoto, of course, portrayed Red One, and Sumiko Tanaka played Yellow Four II from episode 11 until 51 of the series.

With Yumiko Tanaka. 

Yumiko Tanaka starred in Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81) as Harumi Kusanami, but she also appears in Godzilla (1984). (A genuine Godzilla movie cast member was in attendance!)

With Kenju Hayashi, Koji Unoki, and Hitomi Yoshii.

Hitomi Yoshii was again there. She played the evil High Priestess Bishium on Kamen Rider Black (1987-88). Yoshii-san made me laugh out loud when she said, "We are the dark side!" in English right before this picture was taken.

Also on hand was actor Koji Unoki. He played Dyna Blue (both in and out of the suit) on Dynaman. Furthermore, Kenju Hayashi returned as well, and he would be best known as Prince Megiddo on Dynaman.

Once again, there was so much to talk about! It was another great afternoon. Can't wait to do it again soon!